Taylor report calls for greater protection for gig economy workers

Jermaine Castillo

The big take out for me is that if these recommendations are acted on, after a review of the report this summer, the Government could ironically end up protecting not just gig economy workers but also the tech companies who provide the irregular work.

The review also calls for "a review" of employment tribunal fees, and the wider tribunal system, in "which the odds are often stacked against the worker".

Mr Taylor's review calls for a new category of worker called "dependent contractor" to be created to bolster rights to sick pay and holiday pay, covering those who do not now enjoy full employment rights.

Overtime should attract a premium, Mr Taylor recommended, which could affect "millions of supermarket staff and care workers", the Resolution Foundation...

Former Blair adviser Matthew Taylor was commissioned by Mrs May to review employment laws as the economy evolves.

At the moment, there is a middle ground status, "worker", between self-employed and fully employed in employment law. While reforms to the state pension introduced past year boost self-employed workers by giving them exactly the same entitlements as employed workers, the Taylor Review acknowledges that most should not be relying exclusively on the state to support them in retirement.

"I worry that many gig economy employers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning". With our app drivers are totally free to choose if, when and where they drive with no shifts or minimum hours.

The review acknowledges that, while platform-based working (typically based on technology platforms where consumers hire people's services, such as Uber) can be a way to work flexibly for many people, dependent contractors can fall victim to "one-sided flexibility", hence the need for additional protection.

"The opposition party's shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey echoed campaigns such as "#DeleteUber" by telling the BBC she boycotted Uber because of how it "exploited" workers.

"We know drivers want more security too which is why we're already investing in discounted illness and injury cover, and will be introducing further improvements soon", he said. "A new minimum wage for overtime, forms of which already operate in the United States and Australia, would be a big change for low earning workers struggling with tight budgets and insecure earnings".

In addition to this, employers would also face higher penalties for aggravated breeches of worker's rights if they are successfully taken to tribunal a few times over the same issue.

"If the Government are serious about decent work they need to set about enforcing current laws, making sure companies actually pay their taxes like the rest of us and end the insecure work epidemic that continues to spread like wildfire through the economy". Worker (or "dependent contractor" as we suggest renaming it) status should be maintained but we should be clearer about how to distinguish workers from those who are legitimately self-employed.

The 115-page review also suggested that workers on zero-hours contracts earned a higher minimum wage to reflect their uncertain status.

Despite numerous calls to ban controversial zero hour contracts - which do not guarantee workers any hours - the Taylor review has not done so.

Instead it calls for two-way flexibility on pay, with companies having to pay at least the minimum wage in exchange for a contractor working during busy periods.

"The boldness on overtime contrasts with a timid right for zero hour contract workers to request guaranteed hours, something that can all too easily be rejected by employers".

Prime Minister Theresa May defended the review, saying it would ensure "the interests of employees on traditional contracts, the self-employed and those people working in the "gig" economy are all properly protected".

The U.K. government is trying to improve working conditions for contract workers participating in the "gig economy".

White PS4 Pro Will Launch With Destiny 2 BundleJul 11, 2017 - 00:18
As the name suggests, this bundle features the more powerful Sony console coupled with a copy of Destiny 2. If you're interested in picking one up, it'll set you back $449.99 and you can pre-order one from today.

Parents still fighting for Charlie Gard's treatmentJul 11, 2017 - 00:09
The official also said the president wants to be helpful without placing undue pressure on the family. He said seven global experts had supported the treatment the couple wanted Charlie to have.

USA 'must fix the many bad trade deals it has made'Jul 10, 2017 - 00:20
So despite some compromises, the US still has a mechanism to declare a trade war over steel at any time. Trump announced Friday that had called on South Korea to "stop enabling the export of dumped steel".

Raw: Mosul Residents Flee as Fighting ContinuesJul 10, 2017 - 00:18
A United States-led global coalition is providing air and ground support to the eight-month offensive to wrest back Mosul . Troops from Iraqi Special Forces marked the victory by planting the Iraqi flag on the bank of the Tigris River.

F1 Bottas - victor of pole position in AustriaJul 09, 2017 - 00:28
Vettel is on the front row and teammate Kimi Raikkonen moves up from fourth to third because of Hamilton's grid demotion. In fact, Hamilton was quicker than Bottas in every single session through the weekend top 10 qualifying shoot-out.

Ways That Spider-Man: Homecoming Sets Up Future MoviesJul 09, 2017 - 00:23
Edgar Wright's Baby Driver - another win for Sony - Wonder Woman and Transformers: The Last Knight will round out the top five. But the number that may mean more to film's shelf life is "94" - the film's current score on Rotten Tomatoes .

IL lotto winners may get IOUs from the stateJul 08, 2017 - 00:12
"I don't see how it should affect me, I mean I really think they need to do their job and pass a budget" said Sharp. If you are a lucky victor , there will be a delay in payments for all games with winnings over $25,000.

Blac Chyna's Attorney Exploring Legal Options Against Rob KardashianJul 07, 2017 - 00:33
In response to these allegations, Blac taunted Rob with the $250k worth of jewelry, he gave her on the day he caught her cheating. Rob Kardashian went on a social media tirade against his on again, off again girlfriend, Blac Chyna on Wednesday, July 5.

India 'misleading the public' on Sikkim standoff: ChinaJul 06, 2017 - 00:13
Under Chinese leader Xi Jinping , China has been more assertive in insisting neighbours accept Beijing's "zone of influence". "And there is no dispute between the two countries that Doklam belongs to China", he stated.

China's Xi Warns Trump about 'Negative' Parts of RelationshipJul 05, 2017 - 00:08
When Trump and Xi met in April, the two leaders agreed to take specific steps against North Korea within the next 100 days. The U.S. has dreaded the day that North Korea developed a missile capable of hitting the homeland with a nuclear warhead.